Calendar

Latest Posts

12 United Kingdom Facts That You Should Know

The United Kingdom is such a rich place – rich in people, resources, talents, history, technology, and basically, everything. As a matter of fact, there a lot of things that you still do not know about the United Kingdom. These may include fun trivia, secrets, or simple information that are not just published in your history books.

Here are 12 facts about the United Kingdom that you should know:

Fact #1: The Queen and Her Land

As we all know, the United Kingdom runs under a constitutional monarchy in which the head of the state is Queen Elizabeth II. With this, Queen Elizabeth II is the legal owner of one-sixth of the total Earth’s land surface. The United Kingdom has an area of 93,600 square miles. As a matter of fact, it is the 78th largest sovereign state in the world and the 11th in Europe.

Fact #2: 100th Royal Birthday Privilege

Reaching 100 years of existence here in the world is such a blessing. In the United Kingdom, celebrating your centennial birthday is super extra, as you get a personalized greeting card from the Queen herself. Yes! Any British national or even the celebrant herself can apply for a greeting card. Today, the application is done via online. You are eligible for the Queen’s greeting if you celebrate 100th, 105th, and the birthdays following 105th.

This is not only applicable for birthdays. If you are celebrating your 60th anniversary, you can also apply for a greeting card. If you want to apply, check out this page.

Fact #3: Scrapped Billion Dollar Healthcare System

The United Kingdom has spent on a health service computer system that aimed to help medical and healthcare institutions across the country. However, it failed big time forcing them to shut it down. Did you know how much they lost for this project? US$15.8 billion!

Fact #4: Alcohol Drinking is Basically for Everyone

The United Kingdom has current laws that allow even 18 years old and below to drink alcoholic drinks. Under the Children Act 1908, any parent can give an alcoholic drink to children five years old and below only under medical supervision. They considered alcohol as an anesthetic to treat acute injuries. Moreover, teenagers age 16 years old and below are also allowed to drink, only if they are accompanied by adults. 16 to 17 years old are also allowed to drink beer, wine, and cider. The only thing that makes it illegal is that if they purchase the alcoholic drink themselves. They are only allowed to drink in a pub or any private place.

Fact #5: Animals Should Have Passports

In 2013, the United Kingdom government passed a law that requires every equine to have a passport. This includes horses, donkeys, ponies, zebras, and other related animals. The Horse Passport is necessary to accurately identify animals and make it easier to be transported internationally. In fact, the owner may be fined £5,000 if her horse travels without a passport.

Fact #7: The United Kingdom’s Name

The United Kingdom comes in a lot of names. The conventional long form (which is basically the most appropriate) is the United Kingdom is “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.” It is a sovereign country that united the kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Wales. But the name “United Kingdom” is most popular in the world. It can also be shortened to “UK”. Some people also call it as “Britain” or “Great Britain”.

Fact #8: The Infant Queen

Mary Stuart was born on December 8, 1542. She was the daughter of King James V of Scotland. However, the King died when Mary was only six days old. With this unfortunate event, Mary acceded to the throne and became Queen of Scots on December 14. Definitely, an infant Queen.

Fact #9: The Queen Doesn’t Have a Passport

Earlier, we are shocked that horses need passports. All British passports are issued under the name of Queen Elizabeth II. However, even the Queen does not have a passport. As a matter of fact, she doesn’t need one. According to the Queen’s Secretary of State, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II is unnecessary to possess a passport since she issues passports. Other members of the Royal Family have passports.

Fact #10: Britney Spears Versus Pirates

It’s not really Britney Spears fighting against enemies, but her music. According to reports, British Navy used Britney Spears’ hits “Oops! I Did It Again” and “Baby One More Time” to scare off Somali pirates. Merchant naval officer Rachel Owens explained that Somali pirates hate Western culture, including music. So, they thought that Britney Spears music was perfect to keep pirates away. Hit it, Britney!

Fact #11: Suicide in Men and Abortion in Women

Suicide is the leading cause of death of men under 50. Based on the Office for National Statistics report, suicide among men has reached its highest levels since the 1980s. Even high-profile personalities commit suicide – Alexander McQueen in 2010 and film actor Robin Williams in 2014. On the other hand, one out of 3 women in the UK does abortion. Since safe abortion has been legalized in 1967, more women are deciding on aborting their infants. As a matter of fact, 95% of them stated that they do not regret doing abortion.

Fact #12: Most UK Adults Don’t Know Math

We don’t mean they actually don’t know Math or at least don’t hear the word, but according to studies, almost half of UK adults cannot do basic mathematics. YouGov survey (2016) also reveals that one out of five adults in the UK has forgotten calculating fractions, percentages, the mean, median, and mode.

History’s Great Women: Women of the United Kingdom

For centuries, the idea that history is written only by the victors of conflict has been popularly held by scholars and politicians alike. In truth, however, while many pieces of history were tragically lost to the fallout of wars and hegemony, other stories persisted, often through the dedicated efforts of individuals who knew the value of the stories they could tell.

Throughout much of the history of the world, the history of women was ignored, belittled, or erased. Nonetheless, stories of the great works and lives of women have been preserved by those with the wisdom and the fortitude to tell the sides of stories some would prefer to be forgotten.

In the history of the United Kingdom, countless women have stood up to challenge the troubles of their times, and the influence of their work has been felt long after their passing, sometimes for millennia.

A brief profile of a small selection of these women follows below, in hopes that their stories will live on in readers.

Joan Clarke

Member of the Order of the British Empire and skilled codebreaker Joan Clarke Murray was a Cambridge graduate in mathematics, earning the top honors available at the school at the time of her graduation. Despite her incredible mathematic aptitude, Joan Clarke was denied a formal degree, which Cambridge refused to issue to women until the late 1940s.

At the beginning of World War II, one of her classmates, a man by the name of Gordon Welchman, invited her to join a project he was part of known as GCCS, “Government Code and Cypher School,” located at Bletchley Park. This group of mathematicians was brought together by the government to help break the so-called “Enigma Code,” which German leadership touted as impossible to break.

For some time, Joan Clarke was limited to non-cryptology roles, instead being assigned with the other women of the project to administrative and clerical tasks. Regardless of her limitations in role, she quickly outgrew the position and came to master a process known as Banburismus, developed by GCCS colleague and famous computer scientist Alan Turing.

During the war, she was the only woman to ever master this process, and, as a result of her remarkable skill, her supervisors promoted her to the position of “linguist” within GCCS. This was a loophole designed to earn her slightly more pay, since she had been (and still was) paid considerably less than male colleagues of the same and lower ranks.

Clarke eventually rose to the position of Deputy Head in 1944, the highest position allowed to any woman in the program. She was refused further promotions.

During her time at Bletchley Park, she became very close friends with Alan Turing. Working together frequently, Clarke and Turing made significant contributions to both British intelligence agencies and cryptology as a whole.

Joan Clarke’s mastery of mathematics contributed heavily to the breaking of the code used to encrypt Nazi war messages, which influenced the British fight against Nazi forces to degrees that, to this day, cannot be fully quantified.

Mathematics and algorithmic codes are now used in a broad range of computational devices from robotics to household items to online slots games (like Casumo) and are often taken for granted in the 21st century. Joan Clarke was notably ahead of her time in this field and the real recognition for this feat has only really come into the public spotlight over 50 years after she was carrying out her important work.

Doris Lessing

Born in late October of 1919 in the city of Kermanshah, Iran to British parents, esteemed author Doris Lessing’s early life unfolded across not only multiple countries, but multiple continents. At the age of six, Lessing’s family moved to Zimbabwe, which was, at the time, colonised by Britain under the name of Southern Rhodesia.

In Zimbabwe, Lessing’s family attempted to live a simple life on a farm, but the farm ultimately did not turn a profit. Doris left the farm in her mid-teens to work and eventually moved to Britain to pursue work as an operator. Having been educated up to the age of 13 in Zimbabwe, Lessing took her education into her own hands and began to pursue writing on her own time.

In the early 1940s, Lessing took interest in Left politics and writing, becoming involved with the “Left Book Club,” a publishing firm that was heavily influential in the British left-wing of the mid-1900s.

Her interest in socialist politics helped motivate her move to London in 1949 to pursue writing, as well as a number of other significant events of her life. Inspired by her convictions, she was an outspoken activist who campaigned against nuclear weapons and apartheid. Her views on Apartheid resulted in both the colonial governments of South Africa and Zimbabwe banning her from access to the country.

Her strong left-wing beliefs did not stop her from criticising other left political groups. She was incredibly outspoken against many of the warlike actions undertaken by the Soviet government of Russia.

The novels she wrote were incredibly successful to the point that multiple of the most prestigious awards in the country were offered to her.

She turned down many of the British awards as a political statement; she did not believe in accepting awards tied to an imperial government she didn’t support. However, she did accept the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2007.

Following her acceptance of the Nobel Prize, she became the oldest winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature and the 11th woman to receive the award.

Doris Lessing’s work approached social issues with a fearlessness and lack of censorship that was incredibly rare in her time. Furthermore, her work challenged many of the political assumptions of the time, both in the fact that she had such incredible success despite social punishment for her views and gender and in the fact that her work pulled no punches in challenging the remnants of colonialism across the world.

Boudica

Both an important historical figure and a folk hero of the United Kingdom, Boudica was responsible for taking lead of the Iceni Celtic Tribe in a revolt against the overwhelming legions of Rome.

Boudica led the Iceni tribe to revolt after Roman forces annexed their kingdom, which had previously been an independent ally to the Empire of Rome led by Boudica’s husband, Prasutagus. Upon Prasutagus’ death, his will indicated that the kingdom of the Iceni should have fallen to joint rulership by his daughters and Rome, as it had been while he was king.

Roman troops ignored the orders and, by the account of the Roman historian Tacitus, Boudica and her daughters were severely tortured.

In response, Boudica united the local Celtic tribes, including the Iceni, and led them to war. Queen Boudica’s campaign met early success, with her forces destroying Colchester, London, and St. Albans. The clashes at London and St. Albans were extremely bloody for both the Roman and Celtic forces, though the Roman legion ultimately retreated.

At the height of Boudica’s revolt, Nero, the Emperor of Rome, seriously considered a full retreat from the British Isles. However, the Roman Governor of Britain, Suetonius Paulinus, ultimately exhausted her forces, defeating her army at the Battle of Watling Street. Boudica herself would never capitulate to Rome, dying before the Romans were able to wrest control of Britain again from its native people.

The historian Tacitus asserted that she took her own life rather than allow Rome to have victory over her, while the other major Roman historian to write of Boudica, Cassius Dio, asserted that she died of illness.

The Roman accounts of Boudica are the only ones that exist in full, and, as a result, are somewhat tainted with the biases of Roman society including Cassius Dio’s description of her as “possessed of a greater intelligence than often belongs to women” (Source: Peter Keegan’s “Boudica, Cartimandua, Messalina, and Agrippinia the Younger.

Independent Women of Power and the Gendered Rhetoric of Roman History.”) Regardless of some of the implicit cultural biases present in the writings of the Roman historians, both Cassius Dio’s and Tacitus’ accounts do not portray Boudica’s revolt as illegitimate; both historians attest to her rightful heirship, royal ancestry, and martial prowess.

Top 15 British Inventions That Changed the World Forever

Today, doing things is very convenient with the rise of technology. It has improved communication, education, business, healthcare, and basically, every application in life. Computers, internet, smartphones, cars, and machinery – these technologies helped humans in so many ways. Thanks to the brilliant inventors, researchers, and scientists who paved the ways to these discoveries, innovations, and inventions.

Speaking of inventions, British people contributed a lot to the world. According to a Japanese research firm, over 40% of the world’s inventions originated in the United Kingdom. Some of these are complex inventions. Some of them are the simplest of the simplest, but still, you can never imagine without these things.

Here are the top 15 British inventions and discoveries that changed the world forever.

Antibiotics

In 1928, Scottish biologist Sir Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered an antibiotic substance called “penicillin” which saved millions of lives. It helped women during childbirth, saved 15% of the wounded soldiers in World War II, and eradicated prevalent STDs. Today, there are 34 million antibiotics registered and prescribed to patients to treat certain disorders.

Chocolate Bar

Chocolate drink was an all-time favorite even from the earliest civilizations. But was only in 1847 when chocolate can actually be ‘eaten’ in a form of bar. Joseph Fry mixed cocoa powder and sugar to create a paste and molded into a bar. In 1866, Fry’s factory in Bristol began producing chocolate bars.

Soda Water

English clergyman and scientist Joseph Priestley began series of experiments in a brewery in Leeds, England. He placed a bowl of water above the fermenting liquor which resulted in the invention of the carbonated water. In 1772, he announced this discovery through his publication “Impregnating Water with Fixed Air”.

Cement

In 1824, Leeds bricklayer Joseph Aspdin invented something that changed home and construction forever. He tried burning the mixture of limestone and clay and produced a much stronger concrete compound he called “Portland Cement”. Today, about three tons of cement are produced each year. 70% of the global population also lived in houses made of concrete.

Toothbrush

William Addis was an English entrepreneur who became popular in the world for his invention of…the toothbrush. But the biggest twist was that he invented it inside the jail when he was imprisoned in 1770. He decided to improve the way prisoners brush their teeth. He used a small bone from his meal, made holes and attached bristles. After his release, he produced toothbrushes and became a worldwide hit.

Jet Engine

English RAF fighter and pilot Frank Whittle invented the turbojet engine. When he was 22, he thought that they can use a gas turbine to power a plane. He pursued his research without any support for study and development. In 1937, he successfully invented the turbojet engine. Modern turbojet engines today are used in British and American aircraft.

Refrigerator

In 1755, Scottish professor William Cullen conceptualized a small refrigerating machine. But it was only in 1856 when British journalist developed the first practical vapor compression refrigeration system. He introduced this patent to meat processing houses and breweries. Today, 99% of households have a refrigerator. In fact, over 100 million refrigerators are sold annually.

Telephone

The device that revolutionized the way people communicate was invented by Scottish inventor Alexander Graham Bell. He discovered that sounds could transmit telegraphically. This invention was first showcased at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. The telephone inspired the invention of the telegraph, television, and of course, smartphones.

Television

Another breakthrough technology that redefined entertainment was the television. There are many inventors who can be attributed to its invention. But it was Scottish inventor John Logie Baird who successfully demonstrated the first working TV system in 1962. Today, most people can’t live without TV, spending two to six hours watching entertainment shows.

World Wide Web

The most revolutionary invention of the 20th century is the internet. Of course, the internet would be useful without the tripled letter W – the WWW or Worldwide Web. English engineer and computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee developed the link between the HTTP and the server which initiated the domain system. Today, there are over 1.2 billion websites live now on the internet.

Photography

Probably, every millennial around the world is addicted to selfies and Instagram feed aesthetics. But did you know that photography started in the United Kingdom? British scientist William Henry Fox Talbot pioneered photography using silver iodide on paper and started contact printing, a system before the advent of digital cameras.

Light Bulb

Without this invention, everything would be dark. Thanks to British physicist and chemist Sir Joseph Wilson Swan who successfully developed an incandescent light bulb. He also responsible for supplying electric lights that have illuminated houses and buildings up to today.

Tin Can

Another simple yet great invention was by a British merchant named Peter Durand. He invented something that introduced food preservation – the tin can. Yes! The tin can that remains a storage for your favorite meatloaf, corned beef, liver spread, etc. He then sold this patent to two Englishmen who started its massive production.

Stainless Steel

Apart from the tin can, the stainless steel as also invented by an English metallurgist. Harry Brearley discovered the “rustless” steel when he was tasked to look for materials that can prolong the life of gun barrels. Today, stainless steel is widely used in surgical instruments, cutlery, turbine blades, and architectural cladding, among others.

ATM

Thanks to this invention, getting money from your bank savings is so much easy. British inventor John Shepherd-Barron invented the first cash machine widely known as the automated teller machine, in short ATM. The first ATM was used by Barclays Bank in Enfield Town in North London. People can withdraw up to £10 maximum by inserting special cheques and keying-in 4-digit PIN number which is still used today.

There you go, folks! Those were just some of the greatest inventions done by British people. Other great British masterpieces include steam engine, lawnmower, automatic kettle, sewage system, and so much more. Can you imagine life without these inventions? Of course, not!

The 9 Greatest British Historians of All Time

History is very important. It is a treasure that we need to keep and protect. The stories of the past have molded us to become what we are today, especially our culture, beliefs, and ideologies, among others. That is why are required to learn about the history. This is for us to understand clearly understand the ‘present’.

The records and accounts of historical events wouldn’t be relayed to us today if it weren’t for people who dedicated their lives studying and keeping track of the most important events of the past. A person who records about the past is called “historians”. Like history, historians are very important. Without them, we would completely have no clue about what happened before today.

The world, Europe, and the United Kingdom are rich in history. Britain’s past narratives are of course recorded by brilliant historians. In this article, let us recognize the greatest British historians of all time:

David Hume

Hume was a Scottish historian who was also an economist and philosopher. He was very remarkable for his influential system of philosophical empiricism and skepticism. His literary debut, “A Treatise of Human Nature” was considered one of his greatest works. It studied the psychological basis of human nature. Apart from this, Hume authored “The History of England”, a six-volume writing which became a best-seller. Most educators now refer to this as the standard history of England. He also wrote “The Natural History of Religion” in which he argued that monotheistic religions are derived from earlier polytheistic religions.

J.F.C. Fuller

Major General John Frederick Charles Fuller was a British Army officer and strategist who also happened to love recording the history. He was much known for his books and articles about weapons, armaments, military, techniques, and theories. In fact, his “The Nine Principles of War” has been used in advanced military training since 1990. As a historian, he published historical accounts from the Second World War. His most popular work was the “Armament and History: The Influence of Armament on History from the Dawn of Classical Warfare to the End of the Second World War.”

Lord Acton

Lord Acton was an English Catholic historian who was considered by his contemporaries as the “Magistrate of History” and regarded as one of the most prominent Englishmen of the 19th century. He also served as a Member of the parliament of Bridgnorth and Carlow Borough. He had published dozens of books and lectures about history. Some of his most notable works were The History of Freedom in Antiquity” and “The History of Freedom in Christianity”. He even became a profession of Modern History in Cambridge.

A.J.P. Taylor

Alan John Percival Taylor was a British historian who was recognized as one of the greatest historians and journalists of all time. He specialized in 19th- and 20th-century European diplomacy. His excellent oratory skills made him a media favorite, appearing as a resource person and broadcaster in television. He also wrote for a number of leading newspapers. Above all, he was a historian at heart. He wanted to tell the world about the rich history of Europe. In fact, he published “English History 1914–1945” which became a huge success. Another of his bestselling works was “The Struggle for Mastery in Europe 1848–1918” which discussed the events from the fall of dynasties in Europe to the end of World War I.

H.G. Wells

Herbert George Wells was an English writer who was known for his numerous novels, short stories, books, and works about satire and science function. He was even called as “The Father of Science Fiction”. But apart from that, he was also a historian. He published “The Outline of History” which became a bestselling in 1920. It was very popular that it made Wells a rich man. In 1922, he published “A Short History of the World” which was praised by Albert Einstein and has been re-published even in today’s generation.

Stefan Zweig

Zweig was an Austrian journalist and biographer. He was considered one of the most popular writers in the world between 1920 and 1930. He wrote different novellas including “Letter from an Unknown Woman: and published biographies of Ferdinand Magellan, Romain Rolland, Emile Verhaeren, and Erasmus of Rotterdam, among others. His last work was “The World of Yesterday”, published days before he committed suicide.

Edward Gibbon

Gibbon was an English historian and a Member of Parliament. His most popular work was “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, a six-volume publication that provides Gibbon’s comprehensive explanation for the fall of the Roman Empire. His first historical narrative was the “History of Switzerland. However, it was only published after his death. “Memoires Litteraires de la Grande Bretagne” was his second work which discussed the social conditions in England during his time. However, his fellow historians and literary scholars considered it as a flop.

Isaiah Berlin

Sir Isaiah Berlin was a Russian-British political theorist and historian of ideas. One of his most famous works was “Historical Inevitability” which was published in 1954. It discussed the relationship between people and society, and how the two are influenced by exceptional individuals. He also wrote “Karl Marx: His Life and Environment” and “The Age of Enlightenment: The Eighteenth-Century Philosophers”, among others.

Anthony Blunt

Anthony Frederick Blunt was one of the leading British art historians. In fact, his graduate research at Cambridge University was about French art history. He also became an Art Professor at Oxford University and the University of London. He published a book entitled “Art and Architecture in France” and wrote on topics about certain artists. However, the world got shocked when he was revealed by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher that he was a Soviet Spy. He was a member of Cambridge Five, a group of moles working for the Soviet Union. After knowing this, Queen Elizabeth II immediately stripped his Royal Victorian Knighthood.

Being a historian is crucial. It requires accuracy to the nth level. Remember, one single mistake in our history books is like an altered fact of the past.

Brexit: How does leaving EU affect the United Kingdom?

In 2016, the people of the United Kingdom have decided to exit the European Union. In a referendum known as Brexit, over 70% of the British people voted to leave EU. The referendum was made after Tory Party’s manifesto suggested holding a referendum on UK’s EU membership.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron personally does not support Brexit. In fact, the result of the referendum caused him leaving the government. According to him, the United Kingdom will experience political and economic downturns if the UK will exit EU. He even presented 4-key essential points why the UK shall remain in the EU.

On the other hand, some experts weigh in the exit of the UK from EU. For them, the withdrawal of EU membership will help the United Kingdom in so many ways.

To help you understand more the impact of Brexit on the United Kingdom, here are some sectors which may be affected, positively and negatively by Brexit:

Economy

The European Union is one of the largest markets in the world, about one-fourth of the global GDP. Also, the EU is UK’s biggest trading partner. Almost half of the UK’s exports are to the EU, whereas 50% of imports are from the EU. With this, the EU membership attracts more foreign investments. For example, UK received over £900 billion of Foreign Direct Investment.

On the other hand, some Brexit supporters state that the cost of EU membership, roughly around £200billion can be better spent in improving Britain’s industries and technology, among others.

But for most economic experts, leaving the EU will shrink the British economy. Some of these effects include reduced business investments and decreased house prices. Further, Brexit critics state that every pound sent to the EU returns to Britain 10 times more because of trade and investments.

Trade

Today, the European Union has established trade deals with over 50 countries. If the United Kingdom leaves the EU, it has to renegotiate trade deals with these foreign nations. On the other hand, the UK can ‘independently’ pursue international trade deals. Moreover, some experts see that the exit from EU will increase the price and demands of UK’s imports which will provide a better opportunity for UK producers. Basically, for them, it will even help reducing the carbon footprint if British people produce and consume local products.

Investment

The United Kingdom is since then regarded as one of the world’s biggest financial centers. However, with its exit from the EU, many banks, financial firms, and investors have started re-establishing their bases back to the EU to take out and cease their operations in the UK. In fact, the Business for New Europe stated that the huge shift of businesses and investors would lead to reduced tax revenues. On the other hand, Brexit supporters firmly believe that the United Kingdom can still manage to reinvent itself as a supercharged economy.

Sovereignty

For some experts, leaving the EU would not improve the national sovereignty of the United Kingdom. According to Labour’s Hilary Benn, it will just instead take out the UK’s voice to influence events in the international arena. It will also remove UK’s power in the judicial and negotiating table, deciding on things that may affect Britain. Moreover, the UK will never be absolutely sovereign because it is still a member of Nato, the United Nations, the World Trade Organizations, and various treaties.

But for some, it will be an advantage because the UK does not have to abide by the rulings and judgments of the EU. The UK instead will still be a member of the European Court of Human Rights which is non-EU controlled.

Bureaucracy

According to Brexit supports, being part of the EU removes UK’s authority to design a political and economic framework that is targeted primarily to the common good of the British people. For them, if the UK exits EU, the British government can design a regulatory framework that can address directly the problems of the UK citizens.

Immigration

As we all know, the European Union orders the free movement of goods, services, labor, and most especially, people. Because of this, the UK has no control over immigration. People from EU member states can move freely to the UK. The UK is known for having a more generous welfare system. With this, immigrants go to the UK. According to some experts, the UK is now more vulnerable to terror attacks because of being an EU member.

However, the UK is as well dependent on EU immigrants in terms of labor and workforce. According to most British companies, immigrants from the EU are far more educated than UK citizens. In fact, 32% of EU immigrants in the UK have a degree compared to only 21% among UK nationals. Moreover, Brexit critics believe that being part of the EU creates the UK that is diverse in culture. It would also be convenient to stay in EU so that the 1.5 million British nationals settled in other EU member states would not have to move back to the UK and secure a visa.

Jobs

Basically, most employees will be affected if the UK exits from the EU. Why? According to statistics, over three million jobs in the United Kingdom are created by the EU. In fact, a huge percentage of UK companies work and trade with other EU member states. If trade and investment will be affected after UK’s exit from EU, employment will be greatly affected. There will also be job shortages, affecting the potential growth of UK’s economy. Further, a huge percentage of British workers outside the United Kingdom may also lose their job.

Security

As mentioned earlier, being part of EU may increase UK’s vulnerability to terrorism. Nationals from EU member states are free to move around the UK. However, some senior military figures argued the statement. For them, being part of EU is an “important pillar” in UK’s security. As a matter of fact, Defense Secretary Michael Fallon even stated that the UK benefitted a lot from being a member of the union. The EU has worked closely on defense and security. There is a unified exchange of criminal and passenger records to counter terrorism effectively.

UK in EU: A Timeline from Membership to Brexit

The United Kingdom has come a long way before it became an official member of the European Union. The UK was not involved in the initial creation of the united European community. It was only in 1973 when authorities approved UK’s third application to join the union. Since then, the United Kingdom has become a key player, actively taking part in the creation of policies which helped the growth and development of all 28 active EU members.

However, in June 2016, a very crucial question was asked of the people in the UK:

“Should we remain a member of the European Union?”

The concept of Brexit started – derived from Britain and Exit – noting the withdrawal of United Kingdom’s membership with the European Union.

Before we discuss further what Brexit means, let us tackle how the United Kingdom became part of the European Union.

The Beginning of the European Communities

In 1951, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands signed the Treaty of Paris which established the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The United Kingdom was invited to take part but they declined. After the ESCS, the European Economic Community (EEC) and European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) were formed.

In 1960, the United Kingdom, together with Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland established the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). This is their response to the creation of the European Economic Community. The EFTA seeks to establish free trade but it avoids to create supranational governing bodies.

UK’s Failed Applications

In 1961, the United Kingdom, under Conservative Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, submitted their application to join the European Economic Community. However, French President Charles de Gaulle vetoed their application in 1963. For Gaulle, certain British policies, including those under Britain’s labor, agriculture, and economy made the country incompatible to join EEC.

In 1967, UK tried again to apply as a member of the EEC. For the second time, Gaulle blocked the British application. In 1969, Gaulle relinquished his presidency. With this, the United Kingdom, under Conservative Prime Minister Edward Heath successfully became an official member of the EEC in 1971.

The Initial Movement to Leave the Community

In 1974, Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson renegotiated Britain’s membership in the European Communities. Basically, Britain was a small agricultural producer. It only depended on imports. With this, Wilson discussed Britain’s net budgetary contribution to the EC. According to him, Britain suffered greatly from agricultural spending and agricultural import taxes. With this, the EEC members agreed to establish the European Regional Development Fund, a major advantage for Britain.

In June 1975, the United Kingdom conducted the first ever national referendum which asked the people whether the UK should remain as a member or leave the EC. The members of the government were given the chance to present their views. After the deliberation, the electorate decided for a continued membership on EC by a substantial majority. Further, the British people voted to stay in the EC by 67% by 33%.

After the referendum, the United Kingdom continued to become a member of the EEC. In 1979, the Exchange Rate Mechanism was launched which aimed to standardize exchange rates across the EEC. It is also a preparation for the adoption of a single currency. On the other hand, The UK opted out of the monetary system. Moreover, another call by the Labour party for the UK to leave the EU was made, this time without a referendum. The Conservative party also went back to function with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

In 1985, the UK supported the Single European Act. In 1987, it was officially signed which created an internal market. The single market promotes free movement of goods, services, labor, and money. In 1990, the UK also joined again the European Exchange Rate Mechanism.

The Birth of the Official European Union

Thatcher resigned as the Prime Minister in 1990. The UK was also forced to opt out again from the ERM in 1992. As a result, the Maastricht Treaty was signed. This resulted in the official creation of the European Union. Instead of just an economic union, it evolved into a political-economic union.

On the other hand, another movement for the UK’s membership of the EU was formed. In 1994, Anglo-French multi-millionaire Sir Hames Goldsmith founded the Referendum Party. It aimed to ask the British people whether the UK should remain as part of the federal European state or revert to being an independent nation practicing free trade. However, it failed again.

In 1997, the Amsterdam Treaty was signed to strengthen security policy. The Nice Treaty was also signed in 2001 to reinforce defense and judicial policies.

The Brexit

After the decades of continued ties with the European Union, the United Kingdom has decided to call it quits. In June 2016, a referendum was initiated to ask again the British people whether to stay in EU or leave. The majority decided to leave the EU with a turnout of 71% by 29% or over 30 million people voting.

The Prime Minister that time, David Cameron was against the referendum. In fact, he rejected a previous call for a referendum regarding UK’s EU membership last 2012. Because of the results, Cameron decided to resign and quit as a Prime Minister. He was replaced by Prime Minister Theresa May.

There are huge changes after the declaration of the referendum’s result. Basically, the pound value fell to its lowest level since 1985. Cameron also predicted major economic downfall. However, according to experts, the UK economy has grown 1.8% after the referendum. On the other hand, PM Theresa May is working on negotiations. The first official Brexit talks started last June 2017. Another consideration was the Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon which spells out the policies if a member state decides to quit EU. Based on the article, United Kingdom may officially leave the EU on March 29, 2019, Friday.

Today, there have been continued special hearings and talks in the European Parliament Committees. EU member states, political parties, and British people are varied in views about Britain’s exit from the European Union.

11 Founding Fathers of the European Union

The European Union is one of the biggest economic and political unions in the world. It is composed of 28 nations regulated under an internal single market which standardized the systems of laws. The European Union started as an initiative to unite and ignite cooperation between nations that were greatly devastated during the Second World War.

The union wouldn’t be possible without visionary leaders who were very compassionate in achieving peace among nations. These great men carry the same goal – to bring the people to a sphere that embraces unity and prosperity.

Let us get to know the 11 founding fathers of the European Union:

Konrad Adenauer

Konrad Hermann Joseph Adenauer was the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. He led the country during the aftermath of the Second World War. During his reign, Germany became prosperous and productive which established its strong relationship with the United Kingdom and the United States. He was also one of the founding leaders of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) which remains to be one of Germany’s most influential parties. Moreover, he was notable for signing a treaty of friendship with France, ending the two nations’ longtime feud.

Joseph Bech

Bech had served as the 15th Prime Minister of Luxembourg for 11 years. He became the Prime Minister again after the World War II. During his reign, he established the Benelux Customs Union and helped in the development of the European Coal and Steel Community. He was also very active in the preparation of the 1955 Messina Conference which established the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1958.

Johan Willem Beyen

Before Johan Beyen served as a Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, he was a banker and a civil servant. Beyen played a vital role in the formation of the European Economic Community (ECC). After the collapse of the plan to create a European political and defense community, Beyen was convinced that everything has to start with the economy. He then proposed to form a customs union. During the Messina Conference, Beyen headed the Dutch delegation. Beyen’s point of view clearly inspired the relaunch of the European integration.

Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill was best known for his literary masterpieces. But more to this, he was one of the great minds behind Europe integration In fact, he was the one who called the nations to organize a “United States of Europe”. He aimed to unite European nations and eliminate ills of nationalism. Even before the Second World War, Churchill proposed a council of Europe. Because of his dedication, he received the Charlemagne Prize for his efforts to unite European nations.

Alcide De Gasperi

De Gasperi was the 30th Prime Minister of Italy. He founded the Christian Democracy party. Since the Italian Unification, De Gasperi is the 5th longest serving Prime Minister. He became active in the creation of the Council of Europe. He also participated in the creation of rapprochement between European nations. Moreover, he worked closely on the Marshall Plan and on establishing stronger economic ties between European countries.

Walter Hallstein

Hallstein was a German diplomat and politician who began his political career even before the second global war. He started a movement for a federal Europe. He played a vital role in European integration which made him the first president of the European Economic Community (EEC). He worked closely on the development of the common market. Hallstein was also among those who negotiate for the realization of various treaties at a London conference. His passion in uniting European nations can be seen in his innumerable books and articles.

Sicco Mansholt

This Dutch politician and farmer served as the 4th President of the European Commission. During the world war, Mansholt was involved in Dutch Resistance. He witnesses the horrors of the famine, especially the lack of food supply. When he became a commissioner, he worked closely on various sectors including agriculture, fishing, food supply, and economic affairs, among others. In fact, he was remarkable for developing the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy – one of the most prominent policies that aimed to produce a sustainable environment for everyone.

Jean Monnet

Monnet was a French economist who was also a visionary leader in the European integration. In fact, he was regarded as “The Father of Europe” because of his efforts to unite European nations. He played a key role in the creation of European Coal and Steel Community. In 1950, he helped in the development of the Schuman plan which had a huge positive impact on the economy. This plan aimed to boost coal and steel production.

Robert Schuman

Schuman was a French statesman who became the Prime Minister of France twice. He also worked as a reformist Minister in both Finance and Foreign policies. He became an instrument in the realizations of a Council of Europe. In the mid-1950s, he led the European Movement. Apparently, he was the mind behind the Schuman Declaration which was vital to European Coal and Steel Community. He also received a Charlemagne prize for his efforts in achieving peace and unity among European nations.

Paul-Henri Spaak

Paul-Henri Spaak was a Belgian politician who served during the two World Wars. In 1944, he was among the politicians involved in the negotiation of the Benelux Customs Union. Because of this, he was appointed as one of the leaders of European Coal and Steel Community, NATO, Council of Europe, and NATO. He also played a vital role in the creation of the 1957 Treaty of Rome which established the European Economic Community.

Altiero Spinelli

Spinelli was an Italian Communist politician who was most remarkable for his authorship of the Ventotene Manifesto which was essential in the realization of a “one Europe”. The manifesto encouraged European states to be united. According to experts, the manifesto initiated the birth of European federalism. With this, he became the leader of the federalist movement. In 1980, he re-launched the European integration process. He developed the Spinelli Plan in 1984 which inspired the Maastricht Treaty and the European Union.

The History and Development of the European Union: A Timeline

This is the famed motto of the European Union (EU) which means “United in Diversity”. The European Union is one of the most prominent political organizations that unify 28 member states primarily in Europe. The union has standardized the laws and policies to ensure good and balanced economy among the states. It also has authority over justice, family, trade, agriculture, fishery, and regional development, among others.

For decades, the European Union has not just improved the economic and political status of its members, but it also has an impact on world policies.

In this article, we will discuss how the European Union started and developed.

1939 to 1945 – The Second World War

In 1939, the second global war started between the Allies and the Axis. It was considered as the most widespread war, participated by more than 100 million people from over 30 different countries. According to records, the war caused over 85 million deaths making it the deadliest conflict in the human history. In conclusion, the Allied powers (United Kingdom, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and China primarily) had stopped the aggression of Germany, Japan, and Italy.

The war greatly caused economic depression in Europe. Further, it has resulted in the division of people in the continent – communists, eastern bloc, democratic western nations, and Soviet-dominated. There was a huge that Europe will never recover.

1945 to 1959 – The Call for Unity

After the Second World War, there had been various movements to unite the divided nations in Europe. In 1946, former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill calls for unity in his speech at Zurich University. In 1946, France, the United Kingdom, and the Benelux had decided to start a Council of Europe.

As of 1950, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) began. Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands signed the Treaty of Paris to establish the ECSC. In 1957, the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community was established through the treaties of Rome. The EEC created a common market where cooperating members can have access to labor and goods. This aimed to boost Europe’s economy.

1960 to 1969 – The Start of Economic Recovery

In 1961, the United Kingdom applied to join the ECSC. However, General de Gaulle questioned the credibility of the United Kingdom to join the community which resulted in their reapplication in 1967. The EEC also created several governing bodies. This includes the Council of Ministers and the Common Assembly (changed to “European Parliament”). In 1965, the three communities (ECSC, EEC, and Euratom) were merged.

With the beginnings of cooperation, Europe’s economy started to recover. It was also in this period when EU countries ceased to charge customs duties on trade and business. They also agreed on a joint control over food supply and production.

1970 to 1979 – the Expansion of the Union

In 1970, the established common market expanded. The union also created the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which targeted to boost member’s farming and stop monopolies. But one of the most remarkable progress was when Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom finally joined the European Union in the beginning of 1973. On the other hand, Europe experienced short-term economic problems when the Arab-Israeli war took place in October.

From 1974 to 1975, the Salazar regime was overthrown and General Franco of Spain died. These events ended dictatorship in the countries.

Moreover, the union also started creating jobs and developing infrastructures in poorer nations. They also intensified programs against pollution and adopted environmental laws.

1980 to 1989 – The Reunification of the East and West

In 1981, Greece became the 10th member of the community. It was followed by Portugal and Spain in 1986. The Single European Act was also signed which aimed to solve the problems regarding free flow of trade. The Single Market was created. Furthermore, a major political upheaval took place in November 1989. This resulted in the downfall of the Berlin Wall which separated East and West Germany for almost three decades. Its demolition led to the reunification of Germany in 1990.

1990 to 1999 – The Collapse of Communism

European nations developed closer ties after the collapse of communism across Central and Eastern Europe. The Single Market was also completed in 1990 which established the free movement of goods, services, people, and money. The council has launched two intergovernmental conferences – Economic and Monetary Union and the Political Union – to monitor the four freedom of movement.

In 1992, the Maastricht Treaty was signed which led to the creation of the ‘euro’. It also led to the development of the pillar structure of the EU which focused on common foreign and security policy, justice and home affairs, and the European community itself.

In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the union. On the same year, an agreement was signed to lift border control between certain members of the union. Moreover, an Amsterdam Treaty was signed in 1997 which gave emphasis on citizenship and individual rights. This started the common foreign and security policy (CFSP). In 1998, the European Central bank was established.

21st century

In the beginning of the 21st century, more developments happened in the union. The advent of internet and technology has made communication much easier for member nations. Other countries also became a member, including Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, and Malta in 2004. While Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007. In 2013, Croatia became the 28th member.

On the other hand, the United Kingdom decided in 2016 to leave the European Union. Prime Minister Theresa May, who was against the departure of UK from EU, announced that Britain will no longer seek for permanent membership of the single market. Today, talks and negotiations about the decision are still underway. U.K. is scheduled to cut ties with EU in March 2019.

For now, the EU is still helping several countries to manage difficulties in the lieu of the global economic crisis.

The Most Important Events in British History: A Timeline

The United Kingdom’s history is so rich. There are thousands of stories in the past that shaped United Kingdom today. In the history, many figures were involved – scientists, politicians, soldiers, artists, and religious leaders, among others. They were the reason why the United Kingdom has become one of the greatest countries in the world.

Let us visit the past and know the 11 most important events in the entire British history.

The Roman Conquest of Britain

In 55 B.C., Julius Caesar initiated the invasion. But it was only in AD 43 when the Romans under Emperor Claudius gradually conquered Britain. Different legions were sent to conquer various parts of Southern Britain. There were accounts of Roman resistance, including King Caratacus in AD 47. However, he lost the battle. The Roman conquest had a great impact on the British culture.

The Battle of the Winwaed

This historical event was a battle between religions. Oswiu, the Christian King of Northumbria battled against King Penda of Mercia who promoted paganism among his coalition across England and Wales. The two armies fought in the river banks of Winwaed. King Oswiu promised the Lord to build 12 monasteries if he will win the battle. Successfully, Penda’s armies were destroyed. King Penda was converted to Christian, resulting in the Christian dominance in England and Wales.

The Battle of Stamford Bridge

The Roman Conquest resulted in the establishment of Britain as a European Nation. In the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, they debated where Britain would belong to – in Western Europe or in the Nordic Arc. Harold Godwinson expelled the Vikings from England. The Vikings remained a menace to Roman Catholic civilization. Later on, William the Conqueror defeated Harold’s armies, placing England into the family of Western European nations.

The Edwardian Conquest of Wales

After the death of King Henry III, his son Edward I became the new King of England. Edward generally disliked the Celts. Thus, he started a conquest of Wales in three separate campaigns. In 1277, Edward sent a huge English army in the North Wales Coast. The Welsh led by Dafydd, Llewelyn’s brother, started a revolt against the English but later on tried and executed. The second campaign was Democratic. Edward was obliged to call a parliament. Thus, parliamentary democracy has been rooted in the English subjection of Wales.

The Declaration of Arbroath

The Declaration of Arbroath pertained to the declaration of Scottish Independence in 1320. After the Battle of Bannockburn, the English armies had been banished from Scotland. However, there were still vulnerabilities to invasion from the south. With this, Scotland issued the Declaration of Arbroath, a plea submitted to Pope John XXII to confirm the sovereignty of Scotland.

The Battle of Sluys

The Battle of Sluys in 1340 was a major turning point in the Hundred Years’ War. It started after a series of disagreements between the Kings of England and the Kings of France about land ownership. By the 14th century, France occupied English territories in Europe. They also began to build their navies, especially in waters. With this, the English started a revolt. They destroyed a majority of the French ships and succeeded. The English victory at Sluys marked the most important maritime success in Europe.

The Act of Union

During the 13th and 14th centuries, English armies tried to conquer Scotland through military force. It was until in 1707 when they agreed to the Act of Union. This was composed of two Acts of Parliament involving Scotland and England. Through the Acts of Union, the two kingdoms became united on One Kingdom. Basically, the two nations shared the same monarch government. They also shared one military and engineering prowess. This was considered as the most successful nation union in world history.

The Slave Trade Act

In 1787, a Committee for the Abolition of Slave Trade was formed by the Evangelical English Protestants. One of the most active anti-slave campaigners was William Wilberforce. They call for the absolute end of slavery in the British Empire. In 1807, the Slave Trade Act was passed the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It abolished slave trade across Britain. It also encouraged other European states to abolish slavery. Moreover, it stopped the exportation of slaves to the United States.

The Battle of Waterloo

The French army started another conquest in Europe under Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon rose to power during the French Revolution, conquering various parts of Europe. British-led Allied Armies under Wellington and Prussian commands defeated Napoleon and the French army at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. This marked the absolute end of French army’s plan of conquering Europe.

World War I

The First World War was one of the most remarkable events in the history, not just affecting Europe, but the world. It started in July 1914 when the Allies (Great Britain, Italy, France, and Russia) fought against the Central Powers (Germany, Turkey, and Austria-Hungary). The Allies won the war when the United States became an entry to their force. The war destroyed three big empires. Over nine million soldiers and seven million civilians died in the war.

World War II

The Second Global War was so far the most destructive and the deadliest war in the entire human history. It started in 1939, this time, between the Allies and the Axis. The Axis Powers were composed of Germany, Japan, and Italy. This introduced the names of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, along with Hirohito and Benito Mussolini. In conclusion, the Allies again won the war. It officially ended in 1945. There were almost 100 million fatalities recorded, most of which from the Soviet Union. Being the deadliest, the war involved massacres, genocide, Holocaust, starvation, and various diseases.

These were some of the most remarkable and most influential British events in the world history. All of these events made the United Kingdom stronger and better. The culture, religion, and the government today are all established in the past. Today, it keeps on improving towards the common good of all people.